Northernmost Mediterranean record of the silver-cheeked toadfish, Lagocephalus sceleratus (Actinopterygii, Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae)

Abstract

This study reports the first capture of Lagocephalus sceleratus in the northern Adriatic, specifically in Medulin Bay at a depth of 19.7 m. The specimen, a 522 mm male weighing 1330 g, was caught on 13 May 2024. This is the fourth record in the Adriatic and the northernmost one for both the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas. Stomach analysis revealed bivalves, gastropods, sea urchin fragments, and inorganic particles. The further spread of this tetraodontid species in the Adriatic poses ecological and socioeconomic risks, such as disruptions to fisheries, biodiversity loss, and threats to marine ecosystems. Effective management requires monitoring, regulation, public education, and citizen science involvement.